Reed Elsevier to buy security software group

Michael Bow is a reporter at City A.M. covering private equity, funds, investments and asset managers. He can be reached on michael.bow@cityam.com

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Michael Bow

PUBLISHING firm Reed Elsevier is on the verge of acquiring French anti-money laundering software company FircoSoft after entering into exclusive talks with the group yesterday.

Fircosoft, which makes anti-money laundering and sanctions compliance programmes for banks, is co-owned by Rothschild holding company Paris Orleans and buyout group Keensight Capital.

A bid could be in the region of £120m, and would be Reed’s largest acquisition since its 2011 takeover of Fircosoft rival Accuity.

The group plans to merge the two rivals if its offer is successful, giving it control of the anti-money laundering software market.

The new entity will provide software for eight of the world’s biggest banks, including Mizuho and West LB.

Accuity boss Hugh Jones said: “The combination of FircoSoft and Accuity will bring best-in-class solutions that will enable customers to achieve their sanctions screening, anti-money laundering and know your customer requirements with a level of precision and efficiency that has never been experienced before.”

Reed, an Anglo-Dutch business led by 59-year-old chief exec Erik Engstrom, rose 0.65 per cent in trading yesterday.

Anti-money laundering software is used to banks to filter out suspicious payments.